Underactive thyroid (hypothyroidism)

i've been on the same dosage of synthroid for 20+ years for hypothyroidism, have my blood checked every 6 months per my family doctor, and have been drinking soymilk for the last 5 years - with no change in my NORMAL blood levels of thyroid hormone. my urologist told me to switch to soy from dairy milk. i don't know where this information about soy products comes from, but it's completely off the wall at least in my case!

I mean no disrespect to you, but you're 60 years old so your sperm count is probably not important to you.
For a man who is trying to conceive, soy has to be avoided because it does affects sperm count. Same in woman, soy affects estrogen, so ovulation and lutease phase.
Soy isoflavones is recommended to woman in their menopause to treat the side effects of their lack of estrogen.

I do not have a thyroid. It was removed Nov. 2010. I gained a lot of weight and had lots of trouble losing. I also felt like crap until I started taking T3 along with my synthroid. After starting the T3 hair loss, headaches, tiredness, weight gain stopped. I feel great! My moods are also under control since adding it.
I joined MFP last year and then stopped until this January. I am back with a vengance. I have lost 20 lbs since the first week of January. I am on 1200 cals and I also avoid starches and fill in the spaces with veggies. The biggest key is to stay extremely hydrated. If the average person needs to drink 8 cups of water per day you should drink 12. I now have the strength and energy and mental clarity to excercise everyday.
Be very meticulous about taking your pills everyday. I take mine at 3:30 am every day so I have plenty of space to have empty stomache.
You can totally lose weight, have energy and feel normal again. The biggest key is to not let your Dr tell you how YOU feel because your labs are in the "normal" range. What is normal for one is not for another. Be sure to find an Endocronologist that listens to how you feel and is willing to try different medication options.
Good luck!

What is T3? can i buy it or is it prescribed? as soon as you mentioned your hair stopped falling out i went to a health food shop and asked for it lol

It does have to be prescribed by your Dr. Sythroid is T4 thyroid hormone, but your body needs T3. Most drs only prescribe synthroid, but that is not enough. Here is a great explaination of T3 and what it does. http://www.endocrineweb.com/conditions/thyroid/how-your-thyroid-works

I started at 5 mcg was feeling better, but not quite there yet. It was increased to 5 mcg twice a day and all the issues I was having stopped. No more headaches, hair stopped falling out, skin and scalp not dry, constipation stopped, insomnia and tiredness (I know the two sound crazy together), mood swings and irritability stopped. I am myself again and feel better than I have in 20 years.

thank you for that x i will ask my doc next time im there so fingers crossed they will be open minded. on that site it also states jillian michael's also has thyroid related problems...and look at her body! that's encouraging

How many of those Japanese have thyroid issues? Not saying that soy products are bad in general. Just that they should be avoided if a person has thyroid problems. Also, not saying having soy will effect everyone who has a thyroid problem...but why risk it? . As well, you say your thyroid level has been stable for 20+ years. People who are 40+ tend to have more stable levels because (statistically) their lives are less stressful. They usually have stable jobs, relationships, kids out of home etc...not as many stressors and life changes = stable thyroid levels (not saying that his is your case). And I think that some people are just lucky...most people with thyroid issues had told me when I was first diagnosed, "Oh, it is so easy! Get put on meds and then check your levels every six months You don't have to watch anything. And you won't even know you have a thyroid problem!" Not so in my case. Over the last 12 years my levels needed to be changed every 3 months, I can't take any OTC cold remidies, antihistamines (horrible palpitations even with stable thyroid levels), must have stable carb intake or metabolism goes haywire, any stress or >5 lb weight change effects my levels, hair thinning, complexion changes, GI issues (one extreme to the other) resulting in preparation H usage (which, cause me inexplicable palpitations to find out that you can't even use that with thyroid issues!...lol Found out months later and the mystery was solved), extreme fatigue...etc. Everyone is different. Anyway, you are very lucky to have a stable thyroid level and can have soy products with no ill effects. But that does not mean that the research is null and void. There are exceptions to everything and every body is different. I would kill to have a stable thyroid level for even a year!!!!

For all the people who are taking hormone replacements, especially desiccated thyroid, how long did you take it before you noticed a difference? I don't mind doing the hard work to lose weight but dieting is much easier when there are actual results.
I am starting thyroid medication soon and I am curious what to expect and how soon? Thx

Usually for me it takes about a week. The most important thing is to take it EXACTLY as directed. Empty stomache with at least 2 cups of water and NO calcium within 4 hours . Also do not skip days. I would definately say get a weekly pill case. Good luck.

I have been hypothyroid since the age of 12 (46 years). It is important, once diagnosed and on meds, to have it checked routinely because it does fluctuate and the wrong dosage can be hard on the bones (source my internist and my oncologoist). Anecdotally for me, exercise is an important part of the weight management program. I don't seem to be able to push past lethargy without it. I have had the most success with my weight loss since following my husband's diabetes management diet. I think another poster noted the same thing. I suspect these same approaches would make sense whether I had a thyroid problem or not.

It is important to work with your doctor and pharmacist about when and what to take your thyroid with. I did try for awhile to take it in the ideal fashion. On an empty stomach with much water, waiting awhile before eating, not near calcium or other supplements. Unfortunately, with my med schedule and work schedule that path was unsustainable. So I worked out with my dr. that I take the thyroid at the same time everyday with breakfast. I take all my vitamin supplements at night